From beets to experience
About us
From 1863 to 1992, sugar beets were processed into granulated sugar at this site. Diligent factory workers toiled here amid steam, thundering machinery and the pungent smell of sweetness. A vibrant factory full of craft and energy. That energy, craftsmanship and dynamism is still there today. But different.
A place you feel
Whether it’s a conference, festival, trade fair, TV recording, product presentation, fashion show or exclusive dinner: here you can feel the power of history and the energy of today. Robust steel structures, original machinery, concrete floors and walls several meters high create a unique atmosphere. This is where experience is created. This is where you make an impression. This is where you write new history with your event.
Sustainable business
At SugarFactory, we believe that impressive events and corporate responsibility can go together just fine. We make conscious choices in everything we do, from energy and material use to waste disposal and catering. Together for unforgettable events with a small footprint.
Sustainability has always been the common thread throughout the redevelopment of the former sugar factory into an event venue. Preserving the factory and giving as much material as possible a second life was the starting point. ‘Preservation’ is a core value reflected in the DNA of the Cobraspen Group, SugarFactory’s parent company and responsible for the redevelopment of the entire factory site. The Cobraspen Group is a specialist in redeveloping industrial and monumental heritage. With passion and respect for the history of the old factory and the site, a new destination for the future is realized.
Accessibility
SugarFactory is easily accessible by both car and public transportation. In front of the door is the NS-station Halfweg-Zwanenburg, with several direct train connections per hour in the directions of Amsterdam or Haarlem. The location is easily accessible by car via several A- and N-roads. Moreover, SugarFactory has its own parking spaces. Are you expecting international guests at your event? Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is only 15 minutes away.
SugarFactory adds something special to your event
The old sugar factory used to make sugar. The addition of this special substance gives dishes extra sophistication. Today, SugarFactory also adds that sophistication, but in the field of events.
Refinement with which SugarFactory enriches your event with a unique blend of added values: emotion, fantasy, excitement, thrill, wonder, impact … all in a breathtaking setting of industrial heritage.
Brand identity and imagery
The chemical composition of sugar is C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ and consists of a hexagon and pentagon. Two distinct graphic shapes that fit well with SugarFactory’s industrial character. Together, the hexagon and pentagon form a recognizable and dynamic design language and symbolize the added value of our event venue and our passionate team. This fact is the starting point of our corporate identity and brand identity.
More on the history
Travel back in time to the old sugar factory
In 1863, the first sugar factory opens in Halfweg, processing sugar beets. Soon after, N.V. Suikerfabriek Holland established itself on the site, which merged into the Centrale Suiker Maatschappij (CSM) in 1919. This creates the iconic CSM Sugar Factory. The factory eventually closed in 1992.
The factory grows into a large concern from the 1970s onward, but sugar plays an increasingly smaller role within the company. As a result, and due to economies of scale in the sector, the number of sugar factories in the Netherlands shrank. In 1992, the factory in Halfweg also closes its doors for good.
Only ten years after the closure, the monumental site was given a new life, when the Cobraspen Group acquired the former CSM site and involved architectural firm Kentie & Partners in 2004 to redevelop it. The entire area tackled and developed into SugarCity.
The sugar silos will be converted into state-of-the-art show and office spaces, there will be an outlet shopping center, casino and the huge factory halls will be transformed into event venue SugarFactory. A hotel and supermarket are still under development.
The municipality of Haarlemmerliede & Spaarnwoude (which includes Halfweg) and the province are working constructively with Cobraspen and Kentie & Partners. On the initiative of these authorities, the new HalfwegZwanenburg NS railway station was realized in 2012 to make the area more accessible.
Coming soon, SugarFactory will continue to expand with new event spaces and opportunities. If you want to stay informed about this, sign up for our newsletter.
Get inspired!
You want an event that has impact and makes a difference. Dive into our diverse cases and discover what is possible in SugarFactory’s event spaces.
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